The University of Illinois System has earned a place as a global leader in education and discovery by opening our doors wide to the most talented students – and that includes our undocumented students.

Recent speculation that the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program could be eliminated only strengthens our resolve to continue in our efforts to support student welfare, success and their collective impact on the public good.

Since 2012, DACA has supported undocumented students across the U of I System, providing a life-changing pathway to a University of Illinois degree without fear of deportation. The program also supports the best interests of our state and nation, nurturing the talents of students who are already an integral part of our universities and who wish to become leaders in the workforce and in their communities.

The U of I System remains firmly committed to the principles of opportunity and equality, and will advocate strongly for recently introduced federal legislation known as the BRIDGE Act (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy), a bipartisan proposal cosponsored by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin that would extend the provisions of the DACA program for three years. We also will continue to champion proposed state legislation that would give four-year public universities in Illinois the authority to provide institutional financial aid for undocumented students.

In the meantime, the University of Illinois System and all three universities pledge to continue the following:• We admit students without consideration of their immigration status.• We do not inquire about or keep records of whether a student is an undocumented immigrant.• We vigorously protect students’ privacy rights in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). We do not disclose private information about students unless compelled by law to do so.• Our campus police officers do not inquire about immigration status and do not detain or make arrests based solely on immigration status unless compelled by law to do so.• Campus police will not detain an individual in response to a federal agency or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) request unless doing so is required by law or unless an individual has been charged or convicted of a felony.

From the very beginning, the U of I System has been an institution centered squarely on students. And that means all of our students.